Man City boss Pep Guardiola dismisses claims his side are Champions League favourites

Pep Guardiola has played down suggestions his side are favourites to win the Champions League

The City boss claims his former clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich should still be fancied above his current side to lift the trophy.

That is despite free-scoring City boasting an 18-game unbeaten start to the season in all competitions - and being hailed by rival managers as the best side in Europe ahead of the clash with Feyenoord.

Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri and Leicester’s Claude Puel are the latest duo to lord City as the continent’s best, and Guardiola said: “I say thank you very much to both of them.

“For Manchester City, a team that still needs a history in Europe, that is a big win. That doesn’t mean we are favourites to win the Champions League, but it’s nice.

“It means we are doing some things very well. But obviously, people usually say the favourite teams are FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and others.

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“People putting us there is a big honour but that does not mean we have done anything because we haven’t. Manchester City still have a big history to build in Europe”

Pep Guardiola

“People putting us there is a big honour but that does not mean we have done anything because we haven’t. Manchester City still have a big history to build in Europe.”

Bookies have also slashed the odds on the Premier League leaders landing Europe’s biggest prize, with many making them second favourites behind big-spending Paris St-Germain.

But Guardiola claims that despite their flying start, City are facing their toughest spell of the season after losing England defender John Stones for up to six weeks.

He said: “We have to play 12 games in a short space of time with only three central defenders, and one of them is a risk in Vincent Kompany, only just back from injury.

“It is not easy but on the other side I want to see how we react. Which players can play in positions they are not used to and how can they react?

“Always when you are champions, you have to handle the big situations, the tough situations.”

With City already secure in the last 16 of the Champions League, Guardiola is ready to ring the changes.

And he claims England wonderkid Phil Foden is ready to make his debut if called upon.

The 17-year-old midfielder, who helped England win the Under-17s World Cup this year, has already been an unused substitute this season.

Foden, defender Tosin Adarabioyo, 20, and midfielder Brahim Diaz have trained with the first team all season.

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England World Cup winner Phil Foden could make his Man City debut

“They are ready,” said Guardiola. “Otherwise they would not be training here every day with us.

“In the high level, we try to help the young players, but they have to have quality to train with us.

“It’s not just to have fun or be gentle. They are there because they have a chance to play with us.”